Marin Cilic reached his first Wimbledon final as he beat Sam Querrey in four sets. There, he will play against either Roger Federer or Tomas Berdych. And we can say without a doubt that Marin Cilic is in it for the big prize. After all, last time he played a Grand Slam final, he clinched the title. The year was 2014, and the US Open final brought two rather unusual names - Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori. Marin was exceptional in that match, but he was even more impressive in the semi-finals where he stunned his potential opponent in the Wimbledon final, the great Roger Federer, whom he beat in straight sets.
It was at that moment that Marin proved himself to be a big stage man. On Sunday he will have the chance to repeat the success from three years ago.
Cilic ousted Querrey in the battle of big servers
Before the match, the shadow of their head-to-head record loomed over Querrey's head. The fact that he lost all four of their previous matches, including two Wimbledon nail-biting five setters, didn't demoralize the 29-year old American. After all, he didn't come this far to be afraid. From the start, both men were holding their service games and we could already sense a tie-break. And the tie-break it was. Cilic was first to threaten with a mini-break, but it was Sam Querrey who eventually turned things to his advantage.
In the photo finish of the first set, the American was the one who was more focused, and that eventually gave him a lead of one set to love.
The first game of the second set brought the first deuce on the match, but Sam Querrey was still able to win the service game. It was only in the fifth game that Marin Cilic had a break point, but Querrey endured.
However, it was not the case in his next service game where Cilic finally took the serious lead which eventually brought him a chance to even the match, and that chance he took.
The battle continues
Right from the start of the third set, Marin Cilic threatened with 3 break points, but Sam Querrey was able to pull through with the help of some tough winners and a drop volley.
In the third game, Cilic broke the American and just when it seemed that the Croat would jealously hold his service games, Querrey broke back. Then, both of them were strong on the serve which led to yet another tie-break where one mini-break was enough for Cilic to seal the deal. When Sam Querrey broke Marin in the fourth set we all hoped for yet another five-set match, but Cilic didn't think so because not only did he returned the break, but he was able to break the American once again in the twelfth game. And suddenly, the dream of the Wimbledon final became the reality for the 28-year old Marin Cilic.
